The FTC published guidance to help consumers spot fraudulent health‑insurance offers during open enrollment, cautioning that scammers may pose as insurers or brokers and pressure people to enroll immediately. Recommendations include verifying plan identifiers, contacting state exchanges or employers directly, and never sharing sensitive financial data with unsolicited contacts.

As open enrollment season continues, the Federal Trade Commission released detailed consumer guidance to combat health‑insurance scams that exploit urgency and confusion. The FTC warned that fraudsters may impersonate legitimate insurers or brokers, use high‑pressure tactics to force quick decisions, and request payment through unconventional channels such as reloadable cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. To reduce risk, the agency advised verifying plan and agent identifiers, checking plan networks and premium subsidies directly with state health exchanges or employer benefits offices, and confirming licensing and accreditation for brokers or agents. Consumers were urged to refuse unsolicited calls or texts requesting personal or financial information, to use secure official websites rather than links in messages, and to document all communications and receipts. The FTC also outlined steps to take if someone suspects a scam—halt payments if possible, report the incident to the exchange or insurer, contact banks or card issuers, and file complaints with the FTC and state regulators. The notice aims to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the financial and health‑coverage fallout of fraudulent enrollment schemes.